"It’s easy for me to comment because it does not concern me, but I do believe that drivers have to support their teams, especially when they are having to fight for their livelihoods," said former Renault driver Hulkenberg.

"Football players are also waiving part of their salaries," the German told Auto Motor und Sport. "To not set an example would not be fair to the people on the team who are paying off houses and have losses.

"Those who earn more and have more of a buffer should be more generous," Hulkenberg added. "That goes for the drivers. Lewis can now show what he meant with ’Cash is king’."